What causes silverware to rust? Can it be harmful if signs of rust appear on silverware?

Question

Some of my silverware has small splotches of rust on them. Is this harmful? What causes this? Does it make a difference if I wash them in my dishwasher or by hand? Thanks.

Answer 1

What is your silverware made of? Is it silverplate? Solid silver? Stainless steel? Plain steel?

Solid silver won't rust but it will turn black (tarnish). Silver plate could be over a base metal, like plain steel, in which case the best choice is to wipe it dry quickly after washing it by hand (dishwasher soap is harsher than regular dishwashing soap) and store in a dry place. If it's stainless, it will not rust but what you might be seeing is tiny bits of steel that contaminated the stainless steel, and which are rusting. These are usually pinpricks and won't harm the whole--they can cause "tea-staining" which polishes off.

Then, of course, there are the old-fashioned items made of pure steel (like a lot of carving knives) and these should be cleaned and dried by hand.

Answer 2

You have flatware if it is rusting. You don't want to eat the rust. If steel wool won't take it off, get rid of it. The cause, harsh soap used in the dishwasher. Use a teaspoon of bleach in some mild dishwashing liquid and wash by hand. The bleach will disenfect the flatware without it rusting so quickly. Also, dry imediately. Stand the flatware up, handle down as you rinse so the water drains away from the eating surface. That way you can wash it all and then dry. If you aren't going to wash the flatware right after use, rinse all food particles from it and stand as if washed until dry. Then, wash when you have the time. Tomato and salt are just some of the things that can speed the rust process. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Stainless, will not rust under normal use. The silverware is probably steel with a plating and the plating has come off in areas. The main thing is to dry them thoroughly right away, and the dishwasher is harder on the finish than had washing. If this is silver plate it should NEVER go in the dishwasher. If you use silver polish it will remove visible rust but every time they get wet you will risk them rusting more. If these are important to you, you should reserve there use to special occasions and get a new set of flatware for everyday use.

Answer 4

If it is rusting, it is not silverware. Silverware tarnishes, it does not rust. What you probably have is El Cheapo Ware. Clean off the rust with some steel wool and be prepared to do it every time it comes back.

Answer 5

No, making use of those utensils won't harm you. and you don't get tetanus from rust. i visit boil it right down to an person-friendly clarification. Years in the past while people did not have iron supplementations obtainable or could not locate the money for them and had an iron deficiency, they could soak washed nails (the type you hammer into issues) in water and permit them to rust slightly. Then they could drink it for the iron. on an identical time as not a delectable therapy, it worked nicely adequate to help with their anemia. people immediately pass overboard on little issues. Your flatware is nice to consume with. in case you do not purely like the visual attraction, quite scrub it off with a brillo pad or extra nice piece of sandpaper. yet relax certain, you would be nice. the only way it could each and every harm you would be in case you had a disease that brought about you to have too lots iron on your equipment for despite reason. or perhaps then, it does not upload adequate iron from in simple terms eating with them to push your iron point over that risky side. loosen up. and think of roughly those primpy little young infants whose mom's shop them from taking part in exterior and overwash their palms. And sterilize each and every little thing in the homestead. Then think of roughly those young infants who you notice taking part in exterior in dirt and airborne dirt and dirt. Or out in the chilly climate without shoes or a coat. and think of roughly who frequently is the sickly one. it quite is frequently the single whose mom retains them removed from each and every little germ. by using fact they under no circumstances boost a organic immune equipment. and then pass grab your fork and a slice of pie and watch some television, lol.

Answer 6

chew it over with twix